LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission to consider developing and recommending to the State Board of Education, on or before July 31, 2019, computer science content standards for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and, in so doing, to consider existing computer science content standards and content standards that include, but are not necessarily limited to, standards for teaching coding.

This bill would require the commission to also consider content standards that include standards for teaching digital literacy, as defined, when considering developing and recommending those computer science content standards.

Existing law provides for a system of public schools and requires the adopted course of study for grades 1 to 12, inclusive, to include instruction in specified areas of study.

This bill would state that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would address digital literacy in public schools and the ability of pupils to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.

Digest Key

Vote:
MAJORITY
Appropriation:
NO
Fiscal Committee:
NOYES
Local Program:
NO

Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 60605.4 of the Education Code is amended to read:

60605.4.

(a) On or before July 31, 2019, the Instructional Quality Commission shall consider developing and recommending to the state board computer science content standards for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, pursuant to recommendations developed by a group of computer science experts. The Instructional Quality Commission shall consider existing computer science content standards, which include, but are not limited to, the national K–12 computer science content standards developed by the Computer Science Teachers Association, and consider content standards that include, but are not necessarily limited to, standards for teaching coding. coding
and digital literacy. For purposes of this section, “coding” is the process of converting a program design into an accurate and detailed representation of that program in a suitable language. For purposes of this section, “digital literacy” means the skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information.

(b) (1) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall consider convening the group of experts referenced in subdivision (a), and shall ensure that the members of the group include, but are not necessarily limited to, all of the following:

(A) Teachers who teach computer science, including mathematics and science teachers, in
kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive.

(B) Schoolsite principals.

(C) School district or county office of education administrators.

(D) University professors.

(E) Representatives of private sector business or industry.

(2) The Superintendent, in consultation with the state board, shall ensure that one-half of the members of the group are teachers as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1).

(c) The computer science content standards may be used by school districts to develop computer science programs and course assessments but are not mandatory.

(d) The operation of this section is subject to an appropriation being made for purposes of this section in the annual Budget Act or another statute.

SECTION 1.

(a)The Legislature finds and declares that, according to the American Library Association, a digitally literate person does all of the following:

(1)Possesses the variety of skills, technical and cognitive, required to find, understand, evaluate, create, and communicate digital information in a wide variety of formats.

(2)Is able to use diverse technologies appropriately and effectively to retrieve information, interpret results, and judge the quality of that information.

(3)Understands the relationship between technology, life-long learning, personal privacy, and stewardship of
information.

(4)Uses these skills and the appropriate technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, colleagues, family, and on occasion, the general public.

(5)Uses these skills to actively participate in civic society and contribute to a vibrant, informed, and engaged community.

(b)It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would address digital literacy in public schools and the ability of pupils to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.